a substantial height

USAGE SUMMARY

'a substantial height' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has grown to a noticeable or impressive size. For example, "The tree had grown to a substantial height since the last time I saw it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Poly held a substantial height advantage at every position and exploited it throughout, outrebounding the Gators, 54-38.

The Washington Post

And as for the double who jumps spread-legged onto his saddle from a substantial height, well, he's a hero, too.

The New York Times

The 6-foot-6 left-hander from the Czech Republic has a substantial height advantage over Giron, a Southern Californian who is about to begin his freshman year at U.C.L.A. Giron has the quickness advantage, however, and is extremely comfortable on hard courts, where his forehand and willingness to close the net are particularly effective.

The New York Times

The mechanism of injury was a traffic accident for 14 patients and a fall from a substantial height for 7 patients.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

This cosmopolitan species emerges in late spring, can grow to a substantial height (∼1 m) and produces copious windborne pollen, contributing to its weedy status outside of the USA (Gladieux et al. 2011).

AoB PLANTS

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Traditional buildings supported their internal floors through their walls, but the taller the building, the thicker the walls had to become, particularly at the base: buildings of any substantial height rapidly saw their lower floors eaten up by brick or masonry.

Wikipedia

Among the fathers there was a trend of more substantial height overestimation in the group of average men than the group of taller or shorter men.

BMC Endocrine Disorders

Scanning electron microscopy reveals a smooth graphene surface which is present when the GaN nanowires are uniform, whereas graphene on nanowires with substantial height differences is observed to be pierced and stretched by the uppermost nanowires.

Carbon

So when she served huge, steaming bowls of snow-white fish and red-shelled seafood in a broth fragrant with garlic, wine, and chilies, I summoned up my best Italian pronunciation and said, "Ah — zuppa di pesce!" "Not zuppa di pesce!" she said firmly, drawing herself to her full substantial height, her black wavy hair and dark eyes fairly bristling with indignation.

The New Yorker

John is 6 feet 6 inches in real life, hence the substantial height difference you see in the comics.

HuffPost

The typical manifestations of DSD patients include ambiguous genitalia after birth or puberty, absence of secondary sexual characteristics after puberty, primary amenorrhea, short stature, or substantial height.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a substantial height" when you want to emphasize that something is significantly tall or high, especially in comparison to something else or to a general expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial height" in very casual or informal settings, as it can sound overly formal. Simpler terms like "tall" or "high" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial height" functions as a descriptive element, typically modifying a noun. It emphasizes the degree or extent of the height being described, indicating it is significant or noteworthy. Ludwig confirms this is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial height" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, although relatively rare in occurrence. Ludwig AI analysis suggests it's best suited for neutral to formal contexts, particularly in science and news reporting, to emphasize a significant vertical dimension. When aiming for simpler language, alternatives like "a great height" or "a considerable height" can be considered. While effective for conveying size, avoid overuse in very informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable height

Emphasizes the largeness of the height, similar to substantial but using a different adjective.

a significant height

Focuses on the noteworthiness of the height, indicating it's important or prominent.

a great height

A simpler, more common way to express a large vertical distance.

a towering height

Suggests an imposing or majestic height, often used for structures or natural formations.

an impressive height

Highlights the admirable or remarkable nature of the height.

a remarkable height

Stresses how noteworthy the height is.

a considerable altitude

Focuses on the height above sea level.

a tall height

Basic and direct way to specify that the height is above average.

a lofty height

Suggests an elevated and often aspirational height.

a commanding height

Suggests a height that provides a dominant view or presence.

FAQs

What does "a substantial height" mean?

The phrase "a substantial height" refers to something that is noticeably tall or high; it suggests a significant vertical dimension.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a substantial height"?

It's best used in formal or technical contexts where you want to emphasize that the height is significant or noteworthy. It often implies a comparison or contrast.

Are there alternatives to using "a substantial height"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "a considerable height", "a great height", or "a significant height" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a substantial height" or "a tall height"?

"A substantial height" is more formal and emphasizes the magnitude of the height. "A tall height" is simpler and more direct, suitable for less formal contexts.